Tandem Cycling - Brakes got hot!

Yesterday, my wife and I did a group ride that had several short (mile or less) but very steep hills. I don't ride in the Rockies or the Sierras, so I never gave a thought about supplemental brakes. However, as I was bombing down a hill at 46mph and saw the stop sign at the bottom, I became concerned. My pads are about 10 years old. They only have about 1200 miles on them as we're now just getting back into tandeming. Previously, they've never been a problem, but they started squealing and whining like never before, and that was with alternating between back and front until we were near the bottom. After a couple of such hills, I felt them start to fade. I didn't think to feel the rims, but I'm betting they got good and hot as we're a nearly 400lb team. Needless to say, I'm off to the shop today to get new ones as the old ones are either too dried out, or glazed beyond effectiveness.

Needless to say, I'm off to the shop today to get new ones as the old ones are either too dried out, or glazed beyond effectiveness.
Swisstop green or Koolstop Salmon, I hope?

We did a 10 mile descent the first 5 miles or so of which are steep (8-10%) with switchbacks. We stopped at the 1/2 way point and our front rim was blazing hot as was the rear disc caliper. The rear brake lever was getting pretty close to the handlebar; I think I need to use my front brake more and change my brake cables (and decrease our team weight;)). We use salmon Koolstops up front which eliminated the squeal we were having with the black/salmon Koopstops.

Which is why our second tandem has a rear disc. Front rim too hot to touch
on just a 100' drop down the hill over a 300 yd stretch of road and 16%
final 100' of driveway was enough for us. Team wght in 380-400 range.
Most of our braking is rear disk on the new tandem for small velocity changes,
5-15mph, with both brakes used for full stop. Of course the disk pads
only last ~5000 miles but not worrying about rim heat is worth it. And our
downhills are much less challenging than Cali hills, big drop is 800' over 1-2
miles.

Which is the main reason I am switching to a front disc. I get tired of having to pull over and let the rim cool for fear of a front tire blow out.

Using Dura Ace caliper front and Tektro V brake rear with Koolstop Eagle2 brake pads; have replaced the pads ONCE in 30,000 miles on our Zona tandem. Team weight is just under 250 lbs.
Yes, Arizona is hilly/mountainous.
Best brake pads we ever used for rim brakes were Scott/Mathauser (no longer available). Lasted 50,000+ miles.
Rim brakes have proved to be just fine for us. Yes, have have ridden tandem with disc front and rear; considered them overkill for our team.
Have done 11-mile long 6 to 7% grade switchback descent (Kitt Peak) and rims never overheated. Did have to stop half way down as fingers were cramping. Felt rims and they were warm, not hot. Continued descent after a few minutes. BTW those were old fashioned Mafac cantilevers with the S/M pads.
Just ur experience.
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonataqndem

I completely forgot about the SwissStop/KoolStop options. I picked up some others, which I think I'll put on the tourer and get the Salmons for the tandem. When money starts rolling in again I might explore the Disc issue. I don't have mounts in the front, but I do in the rear.